overlords
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GameStop used games revenue estimated to be $2 billion
GameStop's revenue on used games is estimated to reach $2 billion this fiscal year, ending January 31. The figure represents almost 23% of the unstoppable corporation's revenue, and is $400 million more than the prior year. The Wall Street Journal notes that about 42% of the company's profits come from used game sales.Further on in the piece, the WSJ covers how publishers are trying to incentivize customers to buy new, by adding extra content that can "only be used once." It leads by using Gears of War 2's "Flashback map pack" as an example of "an effort to diminish the appeal of buying a used game." That certainly would be worth noting, if the pack wasn't available to purchase now on XBLM for $5. [Via Edge]
Shape-shifting, organ-probing chembots coming soon
The current generation of robots, whether they're the gun-carrying or child-coddling variety, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit their intended purpose. But if research going on at Tufts University comes to fruition, future robots might feature designs that are rather more flexible. Scientists at the school are working on so-called "chemical robots" with no solid parts. Chembots could squeeze under doors, slither through cracks in walls, and even squirm into your orifices, performing internal diagnoses before slowly dissolving away, leaving nothing more than a feeling of creepy violation behind. What about assuming the shape and voice of John Connor's adopted mother? We're hoping that's still a few years off.
Meet Jupiter, Korea's smiley robot overlord, er, domestic servant
Last time we checked out the prototype for Korea's planned robot-in-every-home initiative, the little fella didn't look like much; just a computer-rendered mockup with a big ol' smiley face to disarm suspicious robophobes. But the tiny terminator has come a long way in just a few short weeks. It now has a name -- Jupiter -- and there are photos of what looks to be an actual working prototype interacting with a human who foolishly thinks she's controlling it. Jupiter can reportedly emulate emotions, body language and do lots of other creepy stuff, including recite stories to the kids. It also comes equipped with a handy flip out LCD display, so it can double as an entertainment unit -- and boasts pointy appendages that we can only assume are used both as sensory devices and for defensive (and offensive) purposes. Jupe is able to plug itself in to recharge without help, and can respond to voice commands -- or pleas for mercy. As previously noted, the bot will get its marching orders wirelessly over the net. The invasion begins in October.
